Sorting Equipment Market Forecasts to 2032 - Global Analysis By Product Type, Sorting Technology, Material Sorted, End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Sorting Equipment Market is accounted for $5.47 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $10.18 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period. Sorting equipment refers to machines and devices used to separate items based on specific characteristics such as size, weight, shape, color, or material composition. To increase productivity and accuracy when managing massive amounts of materials, these systems are extensively utilized in sectors such as food processing, recycling, mining, agriculture, and logistics. Conveyor-based sorters, vibratory sorters, optical sorters, and magnetic separators are examples of common sorting apparatus. Moreover, sorting equipment improves product quality, minimizes errors, streamlines production workflows, and reduces manual labor by automating the separation process.

According to the Food and Drink Federation (UK), the turnover of the food and beverage manufacturing industry in Scotland was £12.8 billion (approximately USD 13.5 billion) in 2022-representing 31% of total manufacturing output in Scotland.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing automation requirements

The market for sorting equipment is largely driven by the global movement toward industrial automation. In order to manage large production volumes more effectively, industries like manufacturing, logistics, mining, food processing, and agriculture are increasingly switching from manual to automated systems. Automated sorting devices guarantee consistency in quality, increase productivity, and lower human error. Furthermore, automation reduces downtime, increases material separation accuracy, and enables businesses to satisfy growing customer demand without correspondingly raising labor costs. Sorting equipment with robotics, IoT, and AI-based control systems is becoming essential as Industry 4.0 and smart factory trends gain traction.

Restraint:

Expensive initial investment costs

The high initial cost of purchase and installation is one of the main factors limiting the market for sorting equipment. Advanced sorting machines are expensive and frequently out of reach for small and medium-sized businesses, especially those that integrate robotics, AI, and vision systems. The financial burden is greatly increased by extra expenses like customization, facility upgrades, integration with current systems, and operator training in addition to the purchase price. Because of this, companies are hesitant to implement automation, particularly in developing nations with tight budgets. Additionally, the slow return on investment for many businesses deters widespread deployment and restricts adoption to large-scale businesses.

Opportunity:

Growth of recycling and circular economy projects

Sorting equipment manufacturers have a huge opportunity as a result of the increased focus on sustainability and circular economy principles around the world. To cut down on landfill usage and recover valuable resources, governments, businesses, and environmental organizations are making significant investments in recycling initiatives. Cutting-edge sorting technologies can effectively separate waste materials such as plastics, metals, glass, paper, and electronics, assisting businesses in meeting zero-waste goals and green regulations. Furthermore, sorting equipment suppliers will have a long-term opportunity as recycling infrastructure grows as a result of many countries implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies.

Threat:

Intensive competition in the market

The market for sorting equipment is highly competitive, with many domestic and international companies providing comparable products. Price wars ensue, which reduce manufacturers' profit margins. Established giants that can afford to provide competitive pricing, cutting-edge technologies, and robust after-sales services are difficult for smaller businesses to compete with. Local competitors in developing markets, however, frequently offer inexpensive substitutes, escalating competition even more. Because businesses put short-term cost competitiveness ahead of long-term research and development, intense competition can also result in slower innovation cycles. Both mid-sized businesses and new entrants are seriously threatened by this congested market.

Covid-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the market for sorting equipment in a variety of ways. During the first stage, new equipment installations across industries were slowed down by delays in capital investments, factory shutdowns, and disruptions in global supply chains. Because of economic uncertainty, many industries, especially mining and manufacturing, put off automation projects. Yet, the pandemic also increased demand in industries like waste management, food processing, logistics, and e-commerce, where automation was crucial to meeting growing consumer demand and reducing reliance on manual labour in the face of social distancing regulations. In the end, this change created long-term opportunities for the adoption of sorting equipment by highlighting the significance of robust, automated operations.

The optical sorters segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The optical sorters segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period because of their widespread use in sectors like mining, agriculture, recycling, and food processing. These systems ensure high precision and speed in sorting operations by detecting variations in color, shape, size, and material composition using sophisticated imaging technologies, cameras, lasers, and sensors. They are the preferred option over more conventional techniques like weight-based or size-based sorting because of their capacity to increase product quality, decrease waste, and adhere to strict safety regulations. Moreover, optical sorters remain the market leader with significant growth potential as industries shift toward automation and digitization.

The pharmaceutical & healthcare products segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the pharmaceutical & healthcare products segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate. This increase stems from the increased need for accurately sorting necessary medical supplies, including tablets, masks, gloves, and other equipment. This need was especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made precise and rapid automation in healthcare production necessary. In this industry, optical sorters and other cutting-edge devices that guarantee output free from contamination and with a high level of quality control have become indispensable. Among end-use segments for sorting equipment, the pharmaceutical industry is the one with the fastest growth as healthcare production scales and compliance standards tighten.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the Europe region is expected to hold the largest market share, driven by widespread adoption in the industrial manufacturing, recycling, and food processing sectors. The demand for sophisticated sorting technologies in waste management and recycling is fueled by the region's strict environmental regulations and high sustainability goals. Furthermore, in order to meet stringent quality and safety standards, the well-established food and beverage industry in Europe mainly depends on optical and sensor-based sorters. With the help of strong technology infrastructure and R&D expenditures, nations like Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy are at the forefront of implementing cutting-edge automation solutions.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR, because of the country's fast industrialization, urbanization, and growing use of automation in sectors like waste management, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. To keep up with the increasing demand from both domestic and international markets, nations such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea are making significant investments in smart manufacturing, recycling infrastructure, and logistics automation. High-speed sorting solutions in warehouses and distribution centers are becoming increasingly necessary as a result of Asia's booming e-commerce industry. Moreover, Asia-Pacific is the region with the fastest rate of growth due to several factors, including favorable government regulations, growing labor costs, and heightened awareness of food safety and sustainability.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Sorting Equipment Market include Buhler Group, Honeywell International Inc, Pellenc ST, Beumer Group, Key Technology, Inc., Angelon Inc, Raytec Vision S.p.A., Binder+Co AG, Sesotec GmbH, Larson Systems Inc., Satake Corporation, CP Manufacturing, Inc., Lee Shuknecht & Sons, Inc., Tomra Systems ASA and Steinert GmbH.

Key Developments:

In June 2025, Honeywell announced a significant expansion of its licensing agreement with AFG Combustion and its subsidiary, Greens Combustion Ltd., to include Callidus flares. This expanded agreement not only doubles the range of greenhouse gas-reducing Callidus Ultra Blue Hydrogen process burners but also enhances global customer support.

In May 2025, Buhler Group has launched OptiBake, an inductively heated wafer oven designed to improve energy efficiency and production quality in the wafer industry. This new technology aims to reduce energy consumption by 50% compared to traditional gas-fired ovens, addressing both operational costs and environmental concerns.

In May 2025, Pellenc ST has joined forces with Polytag, a United Kingdom-based platform provider specializing in packing information within the circular economy. According to Pellenc ST, this collaboration merges advanced sorting technology with invisible UV watermark-based tracking to enhance material recovery and traceability.

Product Types Covered:

• Optical Sorters
• Weight-Based Sorters
• Size-Based Sorters
• Magnetic & X-ray Sorters
• Conveyor & Air Classifiers

Sorting Technologies Covered:

• Mechanical
• Optical
• Magnetic
• Electrical

Material Sorteds Covered:

• Food Products & Beverages
• Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Products
• Industrial Materials & Components
• Waste Management & Recycling

End Users Covered:

• Chemical Industry
• Food & Beverage Industry
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Plastic & Polymer Industry
• Wood Industry
• Agriculture Industry
• Packaging Industry
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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